Response to court backlog

By Jennifer Doede

Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi has  announced a province-wide plan aimed at improving the bail system and reducing trial delays.  The backlog of cases in courts across Ontario, including the provincial courthouse on Elgin Street, has caused a host of problems in recent years, including the dismissal of serious criminal cases because they took too long to come to trial.

“We are working on all fronts to ensure that cases get to court faster so that we have a fairer criminal justice system,” Naqvi, also the Liberal MPP for Ottawa Centre, said at a press conference at the Ottawa Police headquarters on Jan. 25.

Naqvi announced 13 judges would be appointed across the province, including two assigned specifically to Ottawa. He also said Ontario will invest in a Crown attorney to assist Ottawa Police Services on bail-related matters.

The presence of more judges in courtrooms across the province will assist in earlier resolutions of criminal cases, creating a more expedient criminal justice system.

The John Howard Society’s bail verification and supervision program in Ottawa will expand its mental health program and offer enhanced services on weekends and statutory holidays, according to a ministry press release.

The society assists people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system and aims to reduce crime rates and its causes.

Part of this reform plan involves the implementation of 50 bail beds across the province, with 20 being located in Ottawa.

These bail beds will provide low-risk offenders with a safe place to stay while they wait for their trial.

The bail bed program will help offenders who are homeless or suffer from addiction or mental health issues, as they will be able to receive support from community-based agencies.

The bail beds program is a pilot project that will take place in up to five locations across Ontario. Ottawa will be the second city to implement them.

“If this plan plays out as anticipated, it’s a step in the right direction. There are definitely some barriers in the system that slow the process down,” said Acting Insp. Jim Elves of the Ottawa Police. Elves spent the past year working in the court and temporary custody unit. “This is a positive start and will help ensure that we meet these timeframes.”